EUBAM helps Moldova and Ukraine to strengthen enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) by providing advice, skills and knowledge transfer to partner services. The Mission also supports partners forge the national, bilateral and international networks they need to fight infringements. EUBAM’s IPR Expert, Irinel Surugiu, explains the importance of IPR and its relevance for EUBAM’s wider work on border management and security.

What are Intellectual Property Rights?

Intellectual Property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions and creative expressions, literary and artistic works, designs, names and images used in commerce. Intellectual Property Rights refer to the legal rights granted for some types of IP to protect the creations of the intellect.These rights include Industrial Property Rights (e.g. patents, industrial designs and trademarks) and Copyright (right of the author or creator) and Related Rights (rights of the performers, producers and broadcasting organisations).

What are IPR infringing goods?

IPR infringing goods are those produced without the consent of the holder of the intellectual property right. They can include:

Counterfeit goods – whichinfringe on trademarks and often look the same as the original goods. These commonly include clothes, cosmetics, medicines and even printer ink cartridges! and

Pirated goods– copied without the approval of the copyright owner. The most well-known pirated goods are CDs and DVDs for music, films or video games.

Why should Intellectual Property Rights be protected?

Protection of IPR is crucial for growth in research, innovation and employment. If an inventor feels that their investment to develop a new idea or product cannot be protected, the motivation to do so in the future disappears.

IPR guarantees to consumers that they are purchasing safe, tested and approved products. A counterfeit product may look the same as the original, but often will not have been tested to ensure it is safe to use. This is particularly true for fake cosmetics and consumables.

Intellectual property rights’ infringement also deprives governments of tax revenues. It means a greater tax burden for law-abiding businesses and individuals, and often means less money for schools, healthcare and social protection.

How does all of this relate to border security?

Let me put it this way: Do you know where your product comes from? If you buy an original product, you do. You have a guarantee that company is legally registered and the supply chain for the product is legal. If you buy a counterfeit product, there are no such guarantees and often such sales help to finance the illegal activities of organised criminal groups.

Are IPR infringements a big problem in Moldova and Ukraine?

Why should the European Union care about Intellectual Property Rights in Moldova and Ukraine?

Counterfeit and pirated goods are a global phenomenon. Statistics published by the European Commission show that in 2014, 35 million articles were detained due to suspected IPR infringements. These had a value of just over €617 million, and emanated from all over the world. As the economic relationship between the EU and Moldova and Ukraine becomes closer through the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas, it is important that there is a guarantee that the goods being traded are legal and respect intellectual property rights.

What is the role of customsin IPR enforcement?

Intellectual property protection cannot be ensured by any one agency. Customs administrations, the police, prosecutor’s offices and national agencies for intellectual property all have to work together for an effective response.

Customs administrations are perfectly positioned to interdict and disrupt the illicit trade in IPR-infringing goods. Most of the counterfeits and other IPR infringing goods available in the EU have been manufactured in a third country. To prevent these goods from being imported, customs has a key role.

Customs, however, cannot succeed in the fight against IPR infringements without the active engagement of right holders. Rights holders are responsible for informing Customs administrations of suspected IPR-infringements of their goods. Octavian Apostol, Director General of Moldova’s State Agency on Intellectual Property explains their responsibilities.

Strengthening the legal protection for IPR – The Mission advocates for the amendment of Customs Codes and sub-legal acts in both Moldova and Ukraine to ensure Customs administrations have effective tools to investigate and counter IPR infringements.

International co-operation – As well as facilitating dialogue and co-operation between the Moldovan and Ukrainian partners and rights holders, EUBAM also promotes exchange of information with EU member states and EU institutions.

Joint operations – Numerous joint operations have been conducted by the partner services with EUBAM assistance. In addition to being a practical way to counter-IPR infringements, the operations also help to increase inter-agency cooperation and build capacities.

Awareness of EU standards – In conjunction with other EU projects, EUBAM conducts IPR workshops for Customs Officers to improve their awareness of EU IPR standards on topics such as the identification of counterfeit goods, terminology, and risk indicators. EUBAM is currently benchmarking practices in both countries against the EU’s Customs Blueprints.

Both Moldova and Ukraine signed Association Agreements with the EU in 2014. This marked a new stage in the development of the EU’s bilateral relations with these two countries, aiming at political association and economic integration, and leaving the way open for further progressive developments.
In terms of the Association Agreements, EUBAM is part of the EU’s combined effort to help Moldova and Ukraine meet the mandatory requirements of Title III of the Assosciation Agreement (Justice, Freedom and Security). The Mission’s assistance is on the requirements which relate to border management issues. This includes having the necessary le
Read more

Combating customs fraud

Tobacco smuggling, including counterfeit products, is presently assessed as one of the most serious risks to border security at the Moldova-Ukraine border, causing the loss of millions of euros to the state budgets of Ukraine and EU member states countries (estimation made by OLAF is €10 bn/year). The likelihood of the illegal movement of cigarettes from Moldova to Ukraine, especially at the central border segment of the border, is high. Analysis of the suspect movement of cigarettes into Transnistria indicates that the delivery of tobacco products vastly exceeds the potential demand on the Transnistrian local market (the population is ap
Read more

Combating drug smuggling

The risk of drug smuggling across the Moldova-Ukraine border is present along all segments of the border. The 147 kg heroin seizure in the Odesa port on 17 March 2015 and the seizure of 500 kg of heroin from Turkey at Illichivsk port from on 5 June 2015 confirms that Ukraine is a channel for largescale heroin trafficking from Afghanistan to Western Europe. Moldova continues to be used as a transit corridor for trafficking cannabis rezine (hashish) from Morocco to Russia. Cannabis is also cultivated in Moldova and Ukraine, especially in the southern regions. The potential of cannabis as a cash crop may appeal to large sections of the rural
Read more

Combating Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Human Beings

The regular daily advisory activity performed by EUBAM on both sides of the Moldova-Ukraine border aims at improving the effectiveness of the operational activities related to the prevention of and fight against trafficking in human beings and irregular migration, as well as to the protection of the rights of trafficked persons. To ensure proper implementation of the EU standards in the field of illegal migration and THB, EUBAM is assisting the border services of Moldova and Ukraine in the development of general common indicators used for the identification of victims of trafficking, the enhancement of risk analysis and selectivity during th
Read more

Combating Tobacco Smuggling

Tobacco smuggling, including counterfeit products, is presently assessed as one of the most serious risks to border security at the Moldova-Ukraine border, causing the loss of millions of euros to the state budgets of Ukraine and EU member states countries (estimation made by OLAF is €10 bn/year). The likelihood of the illegal movement of cigarettes from Moldova to Ukraine, especially at the central border segment of the border, is high. Analysis of the suspect movement of cigarettes into Transnistria indicates that the delivery of tobacco products vastly exceeds the potential demand on the Transnistrian local market (the population is appr
Read more

Conflict Resolution

Good Governance

Integrated Border Managment

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

Joint Declaration

Conflict Resolution

The Mission contributes towards the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict through the official international negotiation mechanism (the “5+2” process) and through its wider technical and advisory work. It focuses on:
• advising on the free movement of people and goods across the administrative boundary line and the Transnistrian segment of the border with Ukraine, including at times of raised security measures
• monitoring that temporary security control measures are carried out in compliance with human rights and European border control standards
• helping resolve cross border problems as they arise
Read more

Good Governance

EUBAM works closely with partner agencies in Moldova and Ukraine to develop and implement appropriate and relevant corporate Ethics policies and / or enforceable Codes of Conduct covering all employees. This approach is aimed at ensuring partner agencies develop and implement appropriate processes for effective management of resources to ensure sustainable professional standards are achieved. The intent is for these high professional standards to be achieved while operating in a transparent, responsive and equitable manner in an open and participatory environment, while ensuring continuous compliance with the Rule of Law.
Concurrent with thi
Read more

Integrated Border Management, or IBM, may sound like another piece of technical jargon, but is actually the concept the EU has embraced for coherent and coordinated border management systems. It is designed to ensure that Governments maintain secure borders with as little inconvenience to travelers and cross-border trade as possible. It emphasizes co-ordination within and between border services, as well as international co-operation. In this video, Razvan Budeanu, He
Read more

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

EUBAM helps Moldova and Ukraine to strengthen enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) by providing advice, skills and knowledge transfer to partner services. The Mission also supports partners forge the national, bilateral and international networks they need to fight infringements. EUBAM’s IPR Expert, Irinel Surugiu, explains the importance of IPR and its relevance for EUBAM’s wider work on border management and security.
What are Intellectual Property Rights?
Intellectual Property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions and creative expressions, literary and artistic works, desi
Read more

Joint Declaration

EUBAM provides neutral, technical advice on implementation of the Joint Declaration signed by the Prime Ministers of Moldova and Ukraine in December 2005, which introduced a new customs regime whereby companies based in Transnistria can gain access to EU trade preferences for their exports upon registration with the customs authorities in Moldova.
Read more

Trade Facilitation

Visa Liberalisation Action Plan

Trade Facilitation

Trade facilitation is at the heart of EUBAM’s mission but this has been given added impetus and effort since 2014 when Moldova and Ukraine signed Association Agreements with the EU which also establish a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (AA/DCFTA). The AA/DCFTA will contribute, over time, to a stronger and more prosperous economy.
In terms of the DCFTA, EUBAM is part of the EU’s combined effort to assist the two countries to fulfil the trade and business-related mandatory requirements (acquis) set out in Chapter 4 on Trade and Trade-Related Matters.
EUBAM is working with Moldova and Ukraine (especially the customs services) t
Read more

Visa Liberalisation Action Plan

EUBAM works with Moldova and Ukraine to help them meet the necessary standards of control for visa-free access to the EU. Moldova achieved this in 2014 under the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP). In the two years since it was introduced for Moldovan citizens, visa liberalisation has improved business opportunities, offered wider travel choices and reconnected families. Travellers at Chisinau Airport describe the benefits visa-free travel has had for them.
https://youtu.be/N-567vN6Z2k
EUBAM has supported the Moldovan Border Police in preparation for the EU assessment mission on the implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action P
Read more

What we do?

AA/DCFTA

AA/DCFTA

Both Moldova and Ukraine signed Association Agreements with the EU in 2014. This marked a new stage in the development of the EU’s bilateral relations with these two countries, aiming at political association and economic integration, and leaving the way open for further progressive developments.
In terms of the Association Agreements, EUBAM is part of the EU’s combined effort to help Moldova and Ukraine meet the mandatory requirements of Title III of the Assosciation Agreement (Justice, Freedom and Security). The Mission’s assistance is on the requirements which relate to border management issues. This includes having the necessary le Read more

Combating customs fraud

Combating customs fraud

Tobacco smuggling, including counterfeit products, is presently assessed as one of the most serious risks to border security at the Moldova-Ukraine border, causing the loss of millions of euros to the state budgets of Ukraine and EU member states countries (estimation made by OLAF is €10 bn/year). The likelihood of the illegal movement of cigarettes from Moldova to Ukraine, especially at the central border segment of the border, is high. Analysis of the suspect movement of cigarettes into Transnistria indicates that the delivery of tobacco products vastly exceeds the potential demand on the Transnistrian local market (the population is ap Read more

Combating drug smuggling

Combating drug smuggling

The risk of drug smuggling across the Moldova-Ukraine border is present along all segments of the border. The 147 kg heroin seizure in the Odesa port on 17 March 2015 and the seizure of 500 kg of heroin from Turkey at Illichivsk port from on 5 June 2015 confirms that Ukraine is a channel for largescale heroin trafficking from Afghanistan to Western Europe. Moldova continues to be used as a transit corridor for trafficking cannabis rezine (hashish) from Morocco to Russia. Cannabis is also cultivated in Moldova and Ukraine, especially in the southern regions. The potential of cannabis as a cash crop may appeal to large sections of the rural Read more

Combating Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Human Beings

Combating Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Human Beings

The regular daily advisory activity performed by EUBAM on both sides of the Moldova-Ukraine border aims at improving the effectiveness of the operational activities related to the prevention of and fight against trafficking in human beings and irregular migration, as well as to the protection of the rights of trafficked persons. To ensure proper implementation of the EU standards in the field of illegal migration and THB, EUBAM is assisting the border services of Moldova and Ukraine in the development of general common indicators used for the identification of victims of trafficking, the enhancement of risk analysis and selectivity during th Read more

Combating Tobacco Smuggling

Combating Tobacco Smuggling

Tobacco smuggling, including counterfeit products, is presently assessed as one of the most serious risks to border security at the Moldova-Ukraine border, causing the loss of millions of euros to the state budgets of Ukraine and EU member states countries (estimation made by OLAF is €10 bn/year). The likelihood of the illegal movement of cigarettes from Moldova to Ukraine, especially at the central border segment of the border, is high. Analysis of the suspect movement of cigarettes into Transnistria indicates that the delivery of tobacco products vastly exceeds the potential demand on the Transnistrian local market (the population is appr Read more

Conflict Resolution

Conflict Resolution

The Mission contributes towards the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict through the official international negotiation mechanism (the “5+2” process) and through its wider technical and advisory work. It focuses on:
• advising on the free movement of people and goods across the administrative boundary line and the Transnistrian segment of the border with Ukraine, including at times of raised security measures
• monitoring that temporary security control measures are carried out in compliance with human rights and European border control standards
• helping resolve cross border problems as they ariseRead more

Good Governance

Good Governance

EUBAM works closely with partner agencies in Moldova and Ukraine to develop and implement appropriate and relevant corporate Ethics policies and / or enforceable Codes of Conduct covering all employees. This approach is aimed at ensuring partner agencies develop and implement appropriate processes for effective management of resources to ensure sustainable professional standards are achieved. The intent is for these high professional standards to be achieved while operating in a transparent, responsive and equitable manner in an open and participatory environment, while ensuring continuous compliance with the Rule of Law.
Concurrent with thi Read more

Integrated Border Management, or IBM, may sound like another piece of technical jargon, but is actually the concept the EU has embraced for coherent and coordinated border management systems. It is designed to ensure that Governments maintain secure borders with as little inconvenience to travelers and cross-border trade as possible. It emphasizes co-ordination within and between border services, as well as international co-operation. In this video, Razvan Budeanu, He Read more

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

EUBAM helps Moldova and Ukraine to strengthen enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) by providing advice, skills and knowledge transfer to partner services. The Mission also supports partners forge the national, bilateral and international networks they need to fight infringements. EUBAM’s IPR Expert, Irinel Surugiu, explains the importance of IPR and its relevance for EUBAM’s wider work on border management and security.
What are Intellectual Property Rights?
Intellectual Property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions and creative expressions, literary and artistic works, desi Read more

Joint Declaration

Joint Declaration

EUBAM provides neutral, technical advice on implementation of the Joint Declaration signed by the Prime Ministers of Moldova and Ukraine in December 2005, which introduced a new customs regime whereby companies based in Transnistria can gain access to EU trade preferences for their exports upon registration with the customs authorities in Moldova. Read more

Trade Facilitation

Trade Facilitation

Trade facilitation is at the heart of EUBAM’s mission but this has been given added impetus and effort since 2014 when Moldova and Ukraine signed Association Agreements with the EU which also establish a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (AA/DCFTA). The AA/DCFTA will contribute, over time, to a stronger and more prosperous economy.
In terms of the DCFTA, EUBAM is part of the EU’s combined effort to assist the two countries to fulfil the trade and business-related mandatory requirements (acquis) set out in Chapter 4 on Trade and Trade-Related Matters.
EUBAM is working with Moldova and Ukraine (especially the customs services) t Read more

Visa Liberalisation Action Plan

Visa Liberalisation Action Plan

EUBAM works with Moldova and Ukraine to help them meet the necessary standards of control for visa-free access to the EU. Moldova achieved this in 2014 under the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP). In the two years since it was introduced for Moldovan citizens, visa liberalisation has improved business opportunities, offered wider travel choices and reconnected families. Travellers at Chisinau Airport describe the benefits visa-free travel has had for them.
https://youtu.be/N-567vN6Z2k
EUBAM has supported the Moldovan Border Police in preparation for the EU assessment mission on the implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action P Read more

The European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) was launched in 2005. It promotes border control, customs and trade norms and practices that meet EU standards and serve the needs of its two partner countries. It is an advisory, technical body based in Odesa (Ukraine). A Memorandum of Understanding signed by the European Commission and the Governments of Moldova and Ukraine in late 2005 is the legal basis for EUBAM, while an Advisory Board – which meets twice a year – acts as the Mission’s governing body. The mandate of the Mission has already been extended four times (in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2015), with the current mandate expiring on 30 November 2017.

The Mission works with Moldova and Ukraine to harmonise border control, and customs and trade standards and procedures with those in EU Member States. It helps to improve cross-border cooperation between the border guard and customs agencies and other law enforcement bodies and to facilitate international coordinated cooperation. EUBAM assists Moldova and Ukraine to fulfil the obligations of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which both countries signed as part of their Association Agreements with the EU. It also contributes to the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict through confidence building measures and as a monitoring presence at the Transnistrian segment of the Moldova-Ukraine border.

The Moldova-Ukraine state border is 1,222 km long, consisting of 955 km of “green” (land) border and 267 km of “blue” (river) border.
The Mission is headquartered in Odesa (Ukraine). It has an EUBAM Office in Moldova and five field offices – two on the Moldovan side of the joint border and three on the Ukrainian side.
There are 67 permanent official border crossing points along the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, including international, inter-state and local ones. The central segment of this border length 453 km is under Tiraspol control, including 25 official crossing points to Ukraine.
The “internal boundary” between the two banks of the Dniester river is not monitored by Moldovan border guards, but there are some customs check-points supported by police at road crossing points.